Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 31591 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 158(@200wpm)___ 126(@250wpm)___ 105(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 31591 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 158(@200wpm)___ 126(@250wpm)___ 105(@300wpm)
"He was my best friend," I told him as a tear worked its way down my cheek. "For most of my life, he was my only friend. He gave me my passion and supported my dream; he's the reason I'm in art school. He said that my dream was his own, and that he wanted to help me succeed; that I had a talent that should be shared with the world."
"He was right; your work is beautiful."
I smiled into Talon's chest, but it quickly vanished. "At his funeral, I caught up with aunts, uncles, cousins; people who weren't close to him in his life, but came to pay their respects or to be nosy. The general consensus was that my art degree was a selfish waste of time; that my grandpa had spent his money on a childish dream instead of putting it into his estate to be divided amongst the family. They said all of my talent would amount to a job in a factory somewhere, and that I should be ashamed for taking advantage of an old man."
Talon buried his nose in my fluffy hair and took a deep breath before speaking. "Something I've learned in my life is that just because someone is family doesn't mean that they have your best interest at heart."
His words were heavy and made my heart ache. "What happened?"
"My father didn't agree with my sexuality and sent me away. The rest of my family just watched me leave, and I'm banned from ever contacting them again."
Even if I weren't speechless, no words I could offer would be enough. I squeezed him around the middle and lost my battle with my tears. I'd always been a sensitive soul (which didn't exactly help with the past teasing), and it crushed me to think what Talon had been through. My own mother didn't want me, which is why my grandpa stepped up, but I had someone to support me and who loved me as I was. Talon had been cast aside by everyone.
"Hey, hey, it's okay," he soothed before kissing the top of my head. "I didn't mean to upset you." The man was comforting me when it was his experience that was heartbreaking. Talon let loose of me and pushed my glasses up onto my forehead to dry my eyes before sliding them back onto my nose. "That's not where my story ends. Yes, my family disowned me and yes, it hurt, but then something wonderful happened."
"What happened?" I sniffled.
"I found a new family made up of friends who are now my brothers. We would do anything for each other. We live together, work together, and look out for one another in every way. Family doesn't have to be blood, and I have the best one I could ask for."
"I'm so happy you have them."
"And I'm so happy to have you." He pressed a gentle kiss to my lips and told me, "You're not alone anymore. You're my family, and I'll always be in your corner." I believed him; god, how I believed him. I was already in deep with this man; probably too deep, but it was beyond my control. I'd never felt so helpless yet electrified.
"And now," Talon announced, turning back to the coffee table, "I need another look at my favorite comics." I watched with a smile as he flipped through one of the books.
Each of the stories followed a young man named Zero. He was an outcast who got bullied at school and home, and ended up spending much of his time alone in the garden, talking to ladybugs and frogs. Soon, he realized that the animals could understand him, and that they followed his commands.
And so, Zero began travelling the world to fight for the oppressed and downtrodden. He called upon animals - from a mischief of rats in the city to a leap of leopards in the Serengeti - to help him bring bullies and criminals to justice.
Talon stopped reading to give me a playful smile. "There's something familiar about our hero."
"Really? I don't see it," I teased, and Talon raised an eyebrow.
"Look at these eyes and tell me he's not me." He raised the comic next to his face and gave a smoulder that made my heart flutter, though I tried to play it cool.
"Hmm, maybe. But I can't be sure the bodies match without seeing yours." Wait, am I flirting? I'd never been so forward in my life.
Talon's dark eyes sparkled. "Oh, so you want a show? Your wish is my command." He stood up and strutted around to the other side of the coffee table with a proud smirk on his face. I loved his confidence; it was something I wish I had more of.
He grabbed the hem of his shirt and gave it a little flutter before pulling it off in one slick movement. My eyes bulged and my mouth watered at the sight of his smooth skin stretched over mounds of muscle. Deep valleys were carved between them, and sank beneath the waistband of his jeans.